Trip Profile: An exhilarating multi-activity holiday, based around Mt. Olympus, Tempi Valley and Pinios river, Mt. Kissavos, the coast and the Aegean Sea in Eastern Thessaly, set in a region of outstanding historical interest and natural beauty. This is a varied and exciting itinerary catering for people of all abilities and fitness levels. It covers a wide area, giving the opportunity to the participants to experience as many different places as possible, while enjoying our first-class activities! This active holiday program consists of a combination of full and half day activities. As it is mostly aimed for the independent family and individual adult travelers, gives a great freedom and autonomy for exploring the endless beaches and the special places of natural beauty and historical interest that our area plentifully offers.

Itinerary: Please note, that this itinerary can be subject to slight changes, concerning mainly the time sequence of the activities, in response to variable local weather conditions.

Mountain biking, (Mt. Biking route, shorter option) on Mt Olympus. Transfer in our means of transport to the village of Kalipefki at 1000m on the lower Olympus and the starting point of the Mt. biking route, 30’ by road from your accommodation. A mountain biking day along a beautiful wooded route over Mt. lower Olympus, culminating in views of the Aegean Sea, Halkidiki’s coast on the other side of Thermaikos gulf and in a clear day, not very unlikely, the pyramid of Mt. Athos in the very distance to the east! 22 km of relaxed biking, mainly on flat and downhill ground and short sections of uphill will take us to the mountain village of Paleos Panteleimon, where you were picked-up from and the finishing point of today’s activity.

Duration of the actual biking, 2.30’ to 3.00’ hours.

Overall activity’s duration, 4.00’ to 4.30’ hours, including the gearing up time, briefing, local transfers, stops, picnic e.c.t.

Inflatable kayaking & Monorafting. We are going to kayak or monoraft in inflatable vessels in the Tempi valley route.The route is very enjoyable, crossing one of the most well-known and historical land marks of the country. This excitement will last for about 1.30’ hours. We change back in to our dry clothes, enjoy a picnic lunch at the end of the ride by the river, before transferred back to your accommodation or visit places of special interest. We will guide and advise for this. Duration of the activity, 2.00’ hours.

Overall activity’s duration, 4.00’ to 4.30’ hours, including the gearing up time, briefing, local transfers, stops, picnic e.c.t.

In June and probably mid-July, we go canyoning in the Kalypso canyon, having the choice of doing either the Kalypso I, including the life-time experience of abseiling down the 78m great waterfall or the Kalypso II section, on Mt Kissavos (Ossa), while in July, August, September & October, we move to the north slopes of Mt. Olympus, to enjoy canyoning in the very special Orlias canyon, in the Orlias II section. The actual canyon / section will guarantee that you get the best out of the activity, as well as an exciting and unforgettable day! This is canyoning at its best! Both, grown-ups and young ones will feel that they have done something really special! And that is exactly what they will have done!

Duration of the actual canyoning, 4.30’ to 6.00’ hours depending upon which canyon section we do.

Overall activity’s duration, 5.30’ to 7.30’ hours, including the gearing up time, briefing, local transfers, stops, picnic e.c.t.

Τo spend at the beach, sample some local good wine or visit places of interest in the greater area (we will be there to propose or organize it for you especially if you do not have your own means of transport), or sample the shops and the cultural life of the nearby Larisa, or a day trip to the impressive landmark of Meteora rocks and its monasteries.

Transfer via Litochoro, to Prionia location at 1100m (45’ by road from your accommodation). Prionia is the starting point of the hike down the Enipeas gorge and for most of the hikes up the higher parts of the mountain and the high summits of Mt. Olympus. We hike down the gorge, a great hiking route in the very heard of Mt. Olympus, alongside the Enipeas stream for most of its length, ending up at Litochoro. This hike really offers everything! Running water and waterfalls, reach vegetation, rock faces and great view spots to the high summits of Mt. mOlympus! For more about the route, here.The walk takes about 5.30’ to 6.00’ hours and is classed as moderate. Altitude loss 700m.

Overall activity’s duration, 6.30’ to 7.00’ hours, including the gearing up time, briefing, local transfers, stops, picnic e.c.t.

Via Cordata / Ferrata for the months of June, September & October. The route unfolds along the “Apollo” ridge which is located at the north cliff side of the Tempi valley, geologically considered to be on Lower Olympus. After we have met (20’ by road from your accommodation) we are transferred to the starting point of the walk-in (10’ by road). The walk-in follows the old railway line alongside the river Pinios, with great views all along the hike. Duration of walk-in, 15 – 20’, easy.

Start at 20m above sea level and finish at 240m. Gained altitude 220m. Length of route, 290m. The route consists mainly of long sections of narrow ridge scrambling and shorter sections and “steps” of actual climbing of III+ to IV- grade on grey limestone rock. The ridge scrambling is a typical Via Cordata with the protection of fixed ropes, while the climbing sections are also protected with cable, thus making the route a very interesting combination of Via Cordata and Via Ferrata, resulting to extra safety, ease and of course great enjoyment. The views of the gorge with the river far down below are just breathtaking. Enjoy some time on top of the ridge before taking the return hiking trail back to the starting point (0.50’ to 1.00’ hours). Duration of the Via Cordata / Ferrata route, 3.00’ to 4.00’ hours.

Rock climbing at Seloma or Tempi valley locationsfor the months July & August. Just after breakfast, an early start brings us to a rock face on northern Kissavos or Tempi valley’s north side both with great views all around, where you are about to try, probably your first vertical steps. This is a great combination of physical and mental effort. The right body placement along with focused concentration on to the next move, will give unexpected great results, under the instruction and supervision of our guides.

Overall either activity’s duration, 4.30’ to 5.30’ hours, including the gearing up time, briefing, local transfers, stops, picnic e.c.t.

Along the Mt. Kissavos coastline route. Quite relaxed, as this is the week’s last activity and a half day one, transfer to the little seaside resort and fishing village of Stomio to prepare ourselves for a two-seater sea kayak ride along the coast of Mt. Kissavos. The coastal section we are going to kayak along, offers a number of very beautiful isolated sandy and white-pebbled beaches, where we are going to stop, swim, snorkel and have drinks and cookies. If it is a full moon, then the evening return in the kayaks, with the full moon rising, is something that someone does not experience very often in their life! For more about the actual route, look here.

Note that sea kayaking is weather dependent and may be moved to a later day in the week or the alternative will be:

Sea kayaking from the river to the sea. The day is spent kayaking in our two-seater sea kayaks down the Pinios river along the last part of its delta, all the way to where the river meets the open sea! Rich vegetation, tree lined riverbanks and a great variety of bird wild life, will accompany us to the mouth of the river and the Aegean Sea. Following this, you will be treated to a barbecue on the beach after which you can enjoy swimming and exploring the numerous beaches of the area as much as you wish! We could not think of anything better to offer you for such a full and active week! For more about the actual route,look here.

Duration of paddling, 2.00’ to 2.30’ hours.

Overall activity’s duration, 4.30’ to 5.30’ hours, including the gearing up time, briefing, local transfers, stops, picnic e.c.t.

Οur multi-activity holiday programs / trips are meant mainly for you who “Plan your own holiday” or for you who want to “Do it yourself”. By being retailers and providers at the same time on these actual programs, we are able to deliver and provide a personalized service at an excellent price, without compromising on the quality of our activities. As local activity suppliers, our expert knowledge of the area ensures for you a more personal feel and direct communication with us and the area, thus, more control on your behalf, over your holiday.

Our multi activity holiday programs / activity combinations are designed and put in place for every different proposal / program in such a way, that only our experience and knowledge concerning the local conditions, could achieve towards your maximum enjoyment. It took long sessions of evaluating various elements and parameters like the group’s type – individuals/family/children’s age groups – the activities’ level and the time period in relation to the weather conditions, before reaching the desired outcome. We believe that we have succeeded there achieving the harmony we were seeking. Our clients’ comments which have helped us a lot towards it, are in favor of this. We are grateful to them!

Just take the advantage of this work, at prices that you will find nowhere else for such full, well designed, high-quality multi-activity holiday programs!

So, the above Prices apply mainly to the independent traveler, who will have their own means of transport, thus, come independently from their accommodation to the meeting point for every activity and back, with our and our website’s directions at all times. During the booking procedure and contact with us you will also be given all the information / directions needed to get from the airport to your accommodation. The “Google Maps – our activities Destinations” in our website will help you a lot towards it. We take care of the appropriate accommodation for you, being close and handy to the activities area.

As it is explained below (“Things you should know” at “Transport”), if you do not have your own means of transport, the transfers from the arrival stations to your accommodation and back, as well as the transfers from the accommodation to the activity’s location and back, will be done by us at an extra cost.

Note that if you are less than 4 persons without other participants in your actual available dates, we can do the full program exclusively for you if you wish, at an additional 25% if you are 3 persons and 45% if you are 2 persons on the activities price. This means an 18.5% for 3 persons and 33.5% for 2 persons on the above total (activities + accommodation) prices.

Meals & Meal Plan: This trip is organized on a half board basis, as breakfast goes with your accommodation and lunch will be a picnic meal with traditional Greek dishes and tastes prepared with great care by the Olympos Trekteam, usually during or after the activity, being included in the price.Evening mealsare not included in the price and will be taken in local restaurants as this will give you a perfect opportunity to sample real Greek hospitality and delicious food, typical of the region. Water and juices for the children are included with the activity but alcoholic drinks for the adults are not.

Transport:From the airport to your accommodation in Litochoro, in case you do not have your own or hired means of transport (rented vehicle), the best suggested way is the public transport (train or bus), as our area of activities and the accommodation establishments are very close to the main road and rail streams of transport on the eastern side of the country. The nearest airport is the Makedonia airport of Thessaloniki, 1.00’ hour by train or bus to Nei Pori or Rapsani train stations, being very close to the activities area and the various accommodation establishments. The “Proastiakos” train runs almost every hour from Thessaloniki to the above destination for 18.00€ return. From the airport you take the bus (number 78)to the main train or bus station in Thessaloniki. It takes 20’ to 30’ and costs €01.00. The buses also run in the same manner, though a bit more expensive than the train. They run from Thessaloniki central bus station via Katerini where you change bus to Litochoro or to Leptokaria.

If you land at “Eleftherios Venizelos” airport in Athens, the train seems to be again the best option. Only the journey in this case takes 4.15’ to 5.00’ hours, depending up on the train you are using. From the airport you take the metro or the Proastiakos train to the “Stathmos Larisis” (Larisa’s station) in Athens, from where you take the train to Larisa, where you change train (take the ”Proastiakos” train) to Litochoro.

Note that during the activities, all local transfers will be provided by us to and from the activity’s starting and end points. If you have your own means of transport, you come to the prearranged meeting point for the day’s activity.
Otherwise, it can be arranged to be transferred by us from your accommodation to the activity’s starting point and back to your accommodation, after the end of the activity. This can be done at an extra cost (10.00€ to 15.00€ p.p. for every activity’s day).

Group size and Staff: Maximum group size is 16 people and minimum 4. This trip is led by Olympos Trekand supported by expert local instructors / guides with great knowllege of the local conditions.

Health:No specific requirements on this tour. If you are reasonably fit and in good health, have a sense of adventure and basically swim (for canyoning), any previous experience is not necessary.

Insurance:It is a prerequisite of booking any Olympos Trekoutdoor activity program that you possess adequate insurance with certain requirements that must be met by your policy.

Responsible Tourism:Tourism has an effect on any area, it is essential to minimise the negative impact that we may cause. We do not allow our clients or staff to damage the physical environment by leaving litter or rubbish lying around. Anything we take in to an area we must take out again.

Given the variety of different activities on this trip, we suggest you take with you apart from your seasonal clothing, the following:a. Day sack, well worn-in trail or amphibian walking shoes for the approach walk and to be wet in the canyon.
b. Any kind of light water sea-shoes for the river activities.
c. Comfortable trousers or shorts as well as hiking shoes or good sports shoes for land based activities.
d. Bermuda trousers or cycling pants for the mountain biking.
e. Swimming gear and towel for all water activities.
f. Sun hat, sun glasses & sun protective cream.
g. Large water-bottle.

Please Note: All safety equipment for all the activities (helmets, life-jackets, harnesses, wetsuits, walking sticks etc) is provided by Olympos Trek. If you have your own, please feel free to take it with you.